A single-use, hands-free vaginal retractor intentionally designed to promote patient comfort and enable two-handed suturing.
The self-retaining, hands-free Hegenberger Retractor is transforming perineal repair by optimizing visualization, enabling two-handed suturing, and reducing musculo-skeletal strain.
The Hegenberger Retractor was developed based on the clinical need for steady vaginal retraction to allow two-handed postpartum suturing. Every feature addresses a real clinical challenge, supporting better outcomes for patients and a more confident, controlled experience for the clinicians who care for them.
Perineal and vaginal repairs are one of the most common procedures performed worldwide, yet the tools available have remained unchanged for decades. Poor visualization, one-handed suturing, and physical strain are challenges that the Hegenberger Retractor directly addresses.
Repeated retraction with fingers restricts the clinician’s view of the full tear, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis and incomplete repair with lasting consequences for the mother.
Manual retraction can not only cause pain for the mother, but forces clinicians to suture with one hand, compromising technique and precision. A suboptimal repair can affect a mother’s function and quality of life long-term.
Awkward positioning increases wrist, shoulder and neck strain, and raises the risk of needlestick injuries, while mothers endure repeated, unnecessary manipulation of sensitive postpartum tissue.
The no-touch technique has traditionally been highly difficult to achieve during postpartum perineal repair. Clinicians are forced to retract in awkward positions and suture one-handed, bringing discomfort to them and the patient.
The Hegenberger Retractor directly supports clinician technique and patient comfort. Steady vaginal retraction allows less tissue manipulation and frees both hands for suturing, supporting optimal postpartum repair environments.
Consistent, steady retraction is made possible with the Hegenberger Retractor. Designed specifically for the female body, reduced sensitive tissue manipulation supports patient comfort while allowing the clinician to perform two-handed suturing with increased confidence due to better visualization.
The Hegenberger Retractor is designed to assist with the repair of perineal and vaginal tears following childbirth. Clinicians should use their professional judgment to determine suitability based on the individual patient and the degree of the tear. Please refer to the Instructions for Use (IFU) for full guidance.
Familiarization with the Hegenberger Retractor is straightforward, and free certification training is available through the Hegenberger Institute. The training covers positioning of the patient, insertion and removal, and can be completed online at your own pace.
Yes, the Hegenberger Retractor is single-use. A reusable option was explored during development, but repeated sterilization was found to compromise the material integrity and clinical performance of the device.
The Hegenberger Retractor is made from HIPS material. This was chosen for its flexibility, strength, and sensitivity against delicate postpartum tissue. Metal retractors can be rigid, cold, and highly uncomfortable, and the flexibility required for safe use in a birth canal would present significant risks with metal at the necessary thickness.
Yes. One of the key benefits of the Hegenberger Retractor is that it holds its position independently, meaning clinicians can perform the full repair without requiring assistance during diagnosis and repair.. This supports more efficient use of clinical staff and resources.
Pricing is available on request. To find your nearest distributor or to request a quote for your unit, please contact us directly or visit our dedicated Locations page.
The Hegenberger Retractor has been designed to assist visualization and retraction for all patients, including those where access may be more challenging due to high BMI. Clinicians should refer to the IFU for guidance on patient suitability.
The Hegenberger Retractor holds regulatory approval in multiple markets. Please refer to our Regulatory Approvals section above or visit our Clinical Evidence page for a full up-to-date list, or contact us directly if you have a region-specific query.
